Disk package

Abstract

A package for a data storage disk such as a CD or a DVD, has a tray with a recess accommodating the disk and received in a sleeve with inwardly bent tabs at its mouth for engagement with the recess to prevent full withdrawal of the tray form the sleeve.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

My present invention relates to a disk package and especially a package for a disk-shaped data storage medium, especially optical data storage media like, for example, CDs or DVDS.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

By and large disk-shaped data storage media are packaged in so-called jewel boxes which have two portions hinged together and one of which is formed with a recess in the shape of the optical storage disk, namely, the CD or DVD, and can have a formation snapping through the hole at the center of the disk. In a simpler, earlier storage unit, the package was formed by a sleeve into which the disk was inserted. In still another arrangement a plastic tray was provided in an outer container and the optical data storage disk was fitted within the recess in the tray. Plastic systems of the aforedescribed type tended to be breakable and the sleeve approach did not sufficiently protect the disk.

In EP 1 140 639 B1, a tray carrying the disk can be received within a cardboard sleeve to protect the disk which is recessed in the tray. The latter system has the drawback that automatic or automated insertion of the tray in the sleeve is precluded by the manner in which the tray is fixed in the sleeve to prevent it from pulling fully out of the sleeve.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide an improved disk package of the last mentioned type.

Another object is to provide a package which facilitates automated assembly but nevertheless will prevent the tray from fully withdrawing from the sleeve.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These objects are achieved, according to the invention by providing on the sleeve blank at least one formation which can be bent into the interior of the sleeve on folding of the blank and which can engage a tray inserted into the sleeve to form an abutment enabling only partial withdrawal of the tray but permitting automated insertion of the tray with the disk into the sleeve.

According to a feature of the invention, two such tabs are provided at the mouth of the sleeve and are positioned and dimensioned to engage in the disk-receiving recess of the tray at the innermost portion of the edge thereof to allow most of the tray to be drawn out of the tray for insertion and removal of the disk.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The above and other objects, features, and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blank for a disk package sleeve according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the package with the tray partially withdrawn and the disk broken away;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the package with the tray withdrawn to its stop and the sleeve partly broken away; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the closed package.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

As can be seen from FIG. 1, a blank for forming a sleeve for the disk package can comprises a front panel 10 which is formed along its upper edge 11 with a pair of tabs 12 and 13, intended to be folded in and toward the viewer along that edge to occupy the positions shown in dot-dash lines at 14 and 15 in FIG. 1.

At the bottom, the panel 10 is formed with a cut out 16 enabling the purchaser to see that a tray is in the sleeve and facilitating the insertion for pressing up of the tray by a user. A pair of edge panels 17 and 18 are provided along opposite edges of the panel 10 and adjoin glue flaps 19 and 20. A bottom panel 21 is connected between the front panel 10 and a rear panel 22 which Is coextensive with the front panel 10 fold edges 23 are provided between the panels to form the sleeve, the rear panel 22 is folded parallel to the front panel 10 and the glue flaps 19 and 20 are glued to the inner surface of the panel 22.

The result is the sleeve shown at 30 in FIG. 2 with its front panel 10, its rear panel 22, a side panel 17, a bottom panel 21 and the tabs 12 and 13 turned inwardly as previously described.

The sleeve 30 receives a tray 31 formed with a circular recess 32 to accommodate the disk shaped storage media, here referred to as the disk 33. Holes 34 in the tray enable the disk 33 to be pressed out of the recess 32. In FIG. 4 the tray 31 is shown to be fully received within the sleeve 30 and is visible through the cutout 16 so that a finger can press the tray upwardly in the direction of the arrow 35.

In FIG. 3, the recess 32 to have an inner edge 35 which can be engaged by the tabs 12 and 13 to prevent the tray 31 from being fully withdrawn from the sleeve. Preferably the edge 35 and the tabs 12 and 13 so cooperate that the tabs 12 and 13 form abutments or stops for the tray when more than one half of the tray has been withdrawn from the sleeve, i.e. the formation 36 (which engages in the disk) at the center is outside the sleeve.

The formation 36 can be pressed into the hole usually provided at the center of the disk to retain it centered in the recess.

It will be apparent that this package can be assembled by automated machinery simply by inserting the tray, usually with the disk 33 in place, into the sleeve until the edge 35 passes the tabs 12 and 13, whereupon the tray will be locked by engagement of these tabs with the edge 35 when the next attempt is made to withdraw the tray from the sleeve. A similar recess 32 can be provided on the opposite side of the tray to receive another disk. The tray 31 can be composed of plastic while the blank and sleeve are composed of cardboard, plastic coated paper or paper board.

Claims

1. A package for data storage medium in the form of a disk which comprises:

a sleeve having a mouth;

a tray received in said sleeve and receiving said disk; and

at least one tab on said sleeve proximal to said mouth for engaging said tray and for full withdrawal of said tray from said sleeve.

2. The package defined in claim 1 wherein said tray is formed with a recess receiving said disk and having an edge engageable with said tab.

3. The package defined in claim 2 wherein said tab is formed unitarily with said sleeve and is bent inwardly thereon with said mouth.

4. The package defined in claim 3 wherein at least two spaced apart tabs are provided at said mouth and are folded inwardly on said sleeve.

5. The package defined in claim 4 wherein said sleeve is formed from a blank of sheet material in one piece with said tabs and panels defining the sleeve.

6. The package as defined in claim 1 wherein said sleeve is formed with an opening affording access to said tray whereby said tray can be pressed out of said sleeve.

7. The package as defined in claim 6 wherein said tray is composed of a plastic.